08.31.08 -- the Acrostic

The First Lady of the Theatre



Actress Helen Hayes in her Hanna Theatre role of Queen Victoria during the 1937 production of "Victoria Regina." During the course of the play, Hayes had to age six decades to portray the monarch during her entire life.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emil Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

Helen Hayes, the First Lady of Theatre, provides today’s acrostic quotation. Rarely do I come across an acrostic quotation that I know almost by heart -- but today’s is one! Having worked in theater all of my life, it is probable that I have cluttered my mind with too much "showbiz". That aside, it is always a delight to come across a quotation as sad-but-true yet humorous as this old friend!

The quotation: IT IS DIFFICULT FOR A STAR TO OCCUPY AN INCH OF SPACE WITHOUT UNBALANCING A PLAY NO MATTER HOW SELF-EFFACING HE MAY BE HE MAKES AN ENTRANCE AS A CASUAL NEIGHBOR AND THE AUDIENCE INTEREST SHIFTS TO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR

The author’s name and the title of the work: HELEN HAYES ON REFLECTION

The defined words: A. HOTFUDGE;
B. EASEMENT; C. LASTSTRAW;
D. ECORCHE; E. NINAFOCH;
F. HUMPBACK; G. APHORISM;
H. YUCATAN; I. ESCAPADE;
J. SHERIDAN; K. OUTOFTHEWAY;
L. NATASHA; M. REBUFF;
N. ECHINATE; O. FASTLANE;
P. LUSHLIFE; Q. EXOTIC;
R. COGITATE; S. TYROSINE;
T. INASNIT; U. OLDENBURG;
V. NONFICTION.

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08.31.08

OT

Sunday, August 31, 2008
Puzzle by Alan Arbesfeld, edited by Will Shortz
Adding OT (Over Time, e.g., Extra Play) to say it ain’t so, all the same, crystal ball, big business, school marm, lo and behold, Bard of Avon, and an act of God, produced today’s interrelated entries of SAYITAINTSOOT (23A. Plea made to a chimney sweep?); ALLOTTHESAME (38A. Distribute equal amounts?); CRYSTALBALLOT (58A. Vote involved in a 15th wedding anniversary?); BIGOTBUSINESS (76A. Narrow-minded affairs?); SCHOOLMARMOT (95A. Teacher’s pet?); LOOTANDBEHOLD (112A. Stop to admire one’s pillaging?); BARDOTOFAVON (17D. Sexiest bell ringer?); ANACTOFGODOT (62D. Part of a Beckett play?).
I’ll leave out the rest so that this doesn’t run into OT!
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08.30.08

Bon Appétit!

Saturday, August 30, 2008
Puzzle by Michael Shteyman, edited by Will Shortz
Six 15-letter entries are the main feature of this Saturday crossword with more than a soupçon of trivia.
FRENCHONIONSOUP (38A. Common restaurant offering that was Julia Child’s last meal), good grief, who keeps track of these things?!; PARKERHOUSEROLL (12D. Bakery item folded in half), maybe to soak up the soup?; GOODCHOLESTEROL (17A. Carrier of fatty acids), from the onions?; IDONFEELLIKEIT (3D. Unenthusiastic response to an offer); and Julia’s dinner guests, CALIFORNIAGIRLS (7D. 1965 hit parodied by the Beatles’ “Back in the U.S.S.R.”), who knew?; along with EBENEZERSCROOGE (59A. Name associated with spirits), now that‘s a clue one can use on any occasion! Maybe he'll bring a goose!
A few links -- ARTISTES (65A. Cirque du Soleil troupe, e.g.); EEK (21A. Cartoon cat with an exclamation mark in his name); ETHEL (6D. One of the Barrymores); ISAAC (44A. Singer of sewing machine fame); TALOS (25D. Brass guardian of Crete, in myth); HAMLET (28D. Dorp); EROICA (2D. Symphony inspired by Napoleon); FTLB.
Bon Appétit!
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08.29.08

One Trick Pony


Merry-go-round, Leon Bibel, 1939

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Friday, August 29, 2008

Puzzle by Mike Nothnagel, edited by Will Shortz

For today's post, go HERE.

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08.28.08

An Eye for an I

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Puzzle by Sheldon Benardo, edited by Will Shortz

ANEYEFORANI (53A. Punny hint to answering 20-Across, 11-Down and 29-Down), along with EYECLAUDIUS (20A. Historical 1976 miniseries), EYETHEJURY (11D. Classic 1947 detective novel) and EYELIKEIKE (29D. Bygone political slogan) are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword.

Longer entries include DESIARNAZ (8D. 1940s- ‘50s film/TV star with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame) and SPONGEBOB (33D. Title TV character in Bikini Bottom), both over-clued.

A few more links: CARDS (30D. ‘06 Series winner); ICEAX (19A. Mountaineering equipment); PEKOE (62A. Black tea); ROYCE (16A. Early British automaker Henry); WAYNE (32A. Big name in Gotham City); AWAY and AWOL; OLEO and OREO; POE and POET.

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08.27.08

Echoes

The Universe is My Mind. Ink and color on paper, Irene Chou, 2003. Duolun Museum of Modern Art in Shanghai
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Puzzle by Donna Hoke Kahwaty, edited by Will Shortz

Echoed syllables, PAWPAWPRINTS (20A. Some fruit still lifes?), CANCANOPENER (26A. Showy dance intro?), TOMTOMTURKEY (41A. Gobbler in a powwow musical group?) and BONBONVOYAGE (47A. Chocolate’s journey?) are the interrelated entries of today's crossword.

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For the complete post, go HERE.



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08.26.08

Roses

Roses - P.A. Nisbet
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Puzzle by Nancy Salomon, edited by Will Shortz
AMERICANBEAUTY (20A. Rose), CHARLIEHUSTLE (36A. Rose) and TOOKTOONESFEET (57A. Rose) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword puzzle.
Eight-letter entries include ATLANTIC (2D. Monopoly avenue); BADMOUTH (3D. Put down); BLUELIPS (9D. Symptom of hypothermia); BROCCOLI (6D. Some spears); HYSTERIA (38D. What 1938’s “The War of the Worlds” broadcast set off); LANCELOT (39D. Most trusted knight of King Arthur); ROOSTERS (37D. Natural alarms) and ETCETERA (40D. Yadda yadda yadda).
A few more links: TRILLED (29A. Sang like a bird); SARTRE (12D. “Nausea” author); UTOPIA (46D. Heaven on earth); CREEL (24A. Angler’s accessory); ARNO and REO.
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08.25.08

Mother Goose

Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, Sharon, Lois, & Bram's Mother Goose. Illustrated by Maryann Kovalski. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Co., 1985.
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Monday, August 25, 2006
Puzzle by Andrea Carla Michaels and Michael Blake, edited by Will Shortz
Plosives have the run of the puzzle today with PACKAPUNCH (16A. Be very potent); PECKINGORDER (22A. Social hierarchy); PICKOFTHELITTER (35A. Very best puppy or kitten); POCKETCHANGE (45A. Miscellaneous coins); and PUCKEREDUP (57A. Got ready to kiss). So, we’ve got PACK, PECK, PICK, POCK and PUCK, nicely placed in the puzzle in alphabetical order.

What a pleasant puzzle!
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08.24.08

Spruce Goose

H-4 (HK-1) Hercules -- "Spruce Goose"
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Sunday, August 24, 2008
COME FLY WITH ME, Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz
The clue for 30-Across (Instructions for what to do when this puzzle is done) is, of course, no clue at all, but merely a warning that this Sunday crossword will occupy a bit more time, accompanied by frustration, than usual. The related across “clues”, are not worth noting, e.g., 48. With 67- and 97-Across, second part of the instructions; 67. See 48-Across; 97. See 48-Across; 138. Final part of the instructions. The resulting “instructions” are CUT ALONG THE DOTTED LINE, FOLD THROUGH EACH PAIR OF NUMBERS IN THE GRID SEQUENTIALLY -- GO THROW THE PAPER AIRPLANE.
Go throw it yourself! I don’t like post-solution instructions having nothing to do with the content of the crossword -- there‘s no reference in the puzzle to origami, office or schoolboy pranks, aerodynamics, etc. I handed the completed puzzle to the nearest tween and received the query, “Why don’t you do it on the computer?”!, which is yet another way of saying, and yes I repeat -- “GO THROW IT YOURSELF!”

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08.23.08

Why Am I Here?

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
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Saturday, August 23, 2008

Puzzle by Natan Last, edited by Will Shortz

Picture yourself on a train in a station/ With plasticine porters with looking glass ties./ Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,/ The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

It’s count-down Saturday -- starting with eight ten-letter across entries: PLASTICINE (1. Oil-based paste mentioned in the lyrics to “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”); HAVEANIDEA (15. Get inspired); OBITUARIES (17. Late news?); DUMBLEDORE (24A. Headmaster of literature); SWITCHEROO (49. Underhanded change, slangily); WHYAMIHERE (57. Existential musing); HOOTENANNY (60. Folkies’ do); ORNATENESS (62. Opposite of simplicity).

Linkage: ARMORIAL (13. Of heraldry); AIRWOMAN (33. Her idea may be taking off) possibly to AVIATE; MRMIYAGI (34. Film character who says “I promise teach karate. That my part. You promise learn”); AUTOMATA (36. They work by themselves); ESTONIA (28A. Hiiumaa Island belongs to it); PHOBOS (1D. Moon of Mars); JOLENE (46D. #1 country hit for Dolly Parton); LOHAN (51D. Star of “Herbie: Fully Loaded,” 2005); IRAQ (11A. Script meaning “God is great“ appears on its flag); SAM (32A. “Dick Tracy” character Catchem).

Here’s a question -- when is a Friday puzzle a Saturday and vice versa? Are they interchangeable? -- does it matter? Well, that’s the egotistical and tiresome diatribe in the blogosphere! I doubt that The New York Times can or would be held accountable to the judgmental impositions of the preening members of an electronic crossword clique who find it intellectually stimulating to be upset over whether one day is harder than another. Often, it appears the lady doth protest too much, especially over this article in Slate -- The Puzzle of Puzzle People by Ron Rosenbaum. Expounding upon the fine line between Friday and Saturday difficulty is just self-serving vanity. Crossword editors can and will do what they damn well please and there isn’t diddly any doodler can do about it!

ITSLATE (35A. Lead-in to “I really should get going)…

Why Am I Here?

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08.22.08

The Puzzle of Puzzle People


Friday, August 22, 2008
Puzzle by Kevin G. Der, edited by Will Shortz
Writing a crossword blog is a frivolity on a frivolity -- -- commenting on crossword blogs is pure madness!
A few links for today's crossword -- Across: 1. It has 33 letters, RUSSIANLANGUAGE; 2. 16. All-Star Game, e.g., INTERLEAGUEPLAY; 18. High seats, THRONES; 20. Oscar nominee for "My Man Godfrey", AUER; 26. Actress Berger, SENTA; 37. Rio TINTO, multinational coal-mining giant; 40. Chaotic place, MARESNEST; 44. Classic 1974 role for Marty Feldman, IGOR; 54. “An Inconvenient Truth” topic, GREENHOUSEGASES.
Down: 5. Setting of the 2007 animated film “Persepolis”, IRAN; 13. Spanish city and province on the Mediterranean, ALICANTE; 14. Baroque dances, GAVOTTES; 26. Some Rockefeller Center murals, SERTS; 31. Ancient city to which Paul wrote an Epistle, COLOSSAE; 33. Angels are sometimes seen over them, FIRTREES; 41. Japanese mushrooms, ENOKIS; 43. Baseball’s Joe and others, TORRES; 50. Men might dress in this, DRAG.
“I know that I'm a partisan divider, but to me it seems that puzzle people are fleeing from real puzzles—fleeing the complexity, the fear of the unknown, fleeing from the messiness of life that cannot be contained in a box, fleeing to an illusion of mastery and control. They're control freaks seeking control of something worthless: ‘I can fill in a bunch of boxes with letters!’
“Those little crossword-puzzle boxes serve as the fragile containment structures for their darker fears, cells they lock themselves into in order to hide from the world. Hide from the fact that there are so many things they will never find answers for.
“That sometimes one only wants numbness. One doesn't want to be reminded of the full-blooded life that one can find in reading. That full-blooded life can only make one think of the death that awaits you or someone you love.”
The Puzzle of Puzzle People by Ron Rosenbaum
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08.21.08

AGELESS

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Ivan Albright 1945
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Puzzle by Gary J. Whitehead, edited by Will Shortz
AGELESS (68A. Eternal … and a hint to 19-, 34-, 42- and 55-Across) along with ADHESIVEBAND (19. Musical group that stays together?); MASSTHERAPY (34. Faith healing service?); SPORTSCOVER (42. Stadium’s dome?); and GARBDISPOSAL (55. Donation to the Salvation Army?) are the interrelated entries of this Thursday crossword. That’s right, adhesive bandage, massage therapy, sports coverage and garbage disposal -- all “age“-less.
Elsewhere, a few links -- TANDOOR (11D. It’s hot in an Indian restaurant); KAMPALA (1A. Capital on Lake Victoria); TVSTARS (8A. Morrow and Murrow, e.g.); JEANNIE (61A. 1960s sitcom title role); DIORAMA (64A. Three-dimensional scene); ADAGIO (23D. How “Moon River” is played); SUSSEX (26D. Northernmost county in New Jersey); PACERS (4D. Conseco Fieldhouse team); 52D. “RIDEA cock-horse to Banbury Cross”; LADS.

Just above AGELESS in the down right corner, within what could be read as an ENRAGED SAGE, AGE crosses AGE, while the entry of EONS (20D. Stretches of history) completes this puzzle’s agenda of agelessness.
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08.20.08

JACK


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Puzzle by Allan E. Parrish, edited by Will Shortz

JACK (55D. Word that can define 17- and 59-Across and 11-, 28- and 29-Down), along with LIFTINGTOOL, PLAYINGCARD, MALEDONKEY, MONEY and PLUGINSERT, all clued as “See 55-Down“, are the interrelated entries of this little jackpot of a crossword.

THUMB (36A. Hitcher’s digit) is, of course, what Jack Horner put in to pull out a plum, so I entertained PLUM INSERT. HAHAS (34D. Comedy club outbursts) from the EMCEE (64A. Comedy club host)! What else… TOPHAT (26A. Astaire wear) and USHERS (42A. Ones in matching tuxes) lend a formal touch. JACK and JOE (55A. Diner cupful) share their J.

Linkage -- BUSDEPOT (37D. Commuters’ terminus), MATADORS (29A. Capote wearers); MOSTEL (52A. Talented Zero); NUDES, TOTEM, VOLT, and the Shortzesque OAT (4D. Granola morsel) and NUT (47D. Granola morsel).

That's all I got, uh... Jack!

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08.19.08

"Huh?"

Kicks 106.9
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Puzzle by Harriet Clifton, edited by Will Shortz
YOUREBREAKINGUP (20A. “Huh?”); CANYOUHEARMENOW (25A. Comment after 20-Across); IDIDNTCATCHTHAT (44A. Comment after 25-Across); ILLTRYREDIALING (50A. Comment after 44-Across) are the interrelated entries featured in today’s crossword.
“Huh?” could be a clue for just about anything -- I’m not enamored of long entries in crosswords that can be solved only by getting a majority of the crosses and not by their own clue, theorizing what someone may or may not say or have said -- however, here it gets a free pass because of the reference to lost telephone communication or the lack of it. Still, “Huh?”?
MYBATTERYISDEAD (Comment after 50-Across). Or, “Huh?”
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08.18.08

Monday

TV Ark
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Monday, August 18, 2008

Puzzle by Paula Gamache, edited by Will Shortz

Six interrelated across entries are the main feature of this back-to-work crossword -- DEADHEAD (63. Jerry Garcia fan … or what each part of the answers to the starred clues can take); the word dead can head both words in the entries of BODYHEAT (16. *1981 film starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner); AIRBALL (25. *Hoopster’s complete miss); LASTLETTER (32. *Z, alphabetically); CENTERLINE (43. *Painted highway divider); ENDZONE (49. *Touchdown site), resulting in dead body, dead heat, dead air, dead ball, dead last, dead letter, dead center, deadline, dead end and dead zone.


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08.17.08 -- the Acrostic


Sunday, August 17, 2008
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
The Sunday Times treats the solver to yet another quotation from a highly worthwhile publication resulting in another terrific acrostic -- certainly more than worth the time, and if one is unaware of the source, a welcome introduction to the work by Hoagland.
The quotation: THEY CAN STRETCH OUT THEIR NECKS LIKE A GIRAFFE OR LOOM UNDERWATER LIKE AN APOCRYPHAL HIPPO THEY HAVE A PENGUINS ALERTNESS COMBINED WITH A BUILD LIKE A BRONTOSAURUS THEY HUNCH AND PONDEROUSLY LUNGE LIKE A GRIZZLY.
The author’s name and the title of the work: HOAGLAND COURAGE OF TURTLES
The defined words: HAWKSBILL; OVERKILL; ANARCHY; GEODUCK; LIZARD; ACHILLES; NOTHING; DUTIES; CHELONIAN; OZONELAYER; UPFORGRABS; ROADMAP; ANTHER; GHERKIN; EYEBROW; ONSITE; FUCHSIA; REPTILE; TITHE; LAYETTE; ENHANCED; SUMPTUOUS.
The Times acrostic continually provides the solver with a maximum reward for time spent upon one of the most solitary of activities -- would it be so with the standard trivial fare of so many tepid crossword puzzles that have the temerity to post a by-line. With the Times acrostics, and the regular team of Cox, Rathvon & Shortz, puzzledom becomes an art filled with gratifying discovery and insight.
The highly competitive hare may be on the fast track, but the plodding tortoise has the inside story and is always a winner!
For the complete post, go HERE.
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08.17.08

FADE-OUTS

Sunset Boulevard - 1950 - Final Scene
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Sunday, August 17, 2006
FADE-OUTS, Puzzle by Caleb Madison, edited by Will Shortz
Leaving off the last letter of film titles to produce a new one constitutes the weak humor of eight interrelated across entries -- THEMALTESEFALCO (24. Movie about a “Sopranos”-like actress from the Mediterranean?); CALIFORNIASUIT (30. Movie adaptation of “L.A. Law”?); THREEDAYSOFTHECONDO (39. Movie about a time-share?); AHARDDAYSNIGH (59. Movie about the coming of difficult times?); THEELEPHANTMA (71. Movie about one of Dumbo’s parents?); NIGHTOFTHELIVINGDEA (88. Movie about a narco’s worst dream?); BEVERLYHILLSCO (102. Movie about a bus. On Rodeo Drive?); and ACLOCKWORKORANG (113. Movie about the zoo’s most punctual simian?).
We are spared GONEWITHTHEWIN (Movie about a losing gambler's life savings?); THEWIZARDOFO (Movie about a magically entrepreneurial talk-show host?); NOCOUNTRYFOROLDME (Movie about a kvetching elderly exile?); CASABLANC (Movie about a darkly mysterious Spanish residence in France?); MIDNIGHTCOWBO (Movie about unpleasant odors in a barnyard at an ungodly hour?) and hundreds of other “titles”, simply because this puzzle, and its solvers, can handle just so much!
The remainder of the crossword RUNSAMOK (119A. Goes wild) with a hefty dose of arduous, ill-fitting and time-worn clues for resulting entries of a humdrum nature accompanied by a messy smattering of “stuck-with-this-bunch-of-letters-what-can-they-be-clued-as?”, e.g., AAS, AHME, ANSA, DOH, DREI, DRT, EOE, ESE, GAIA, IAM, ICS, INE, IOR, ITA, KMS, KSU, NIA, OWN, RAI, SALA, SUM, SWE, USIA, VON, etc.
UNCLESAM, however, gets a rather nice clue -- Pointer on a poster. So does STRAYCAT (84D. Lost Persian, e.g.). SHMEAR (98A. Bagel topping) is probably humorous. SATTIGHT (4D. Didn’t make a move) and FELLOVER (87D. Toppled) are a symmetrically-placed pair. If I can think of anything else, I’ll let you know.

It’s midnight -- fade-out…

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08.16.08

Questions

Saturday, August 16, 2008
Puzzle by Byron Walden, edited by Will Shortz
HOLYSMOKES (30D. “Yikes!”)!
Nine entries of today’s crossword have clues ending with a question mark -- SHOTCLOCK (1A. Pace pacer?); STENO (23A. Recording artist?); SKIPARKA (39A. Protection for someone on the run?); OHIOSTATE (57A. Columbus’s flagship?); VIPPASSES (59A. Fancy entrees?); HERBARIA (2D. Mint preserves?); SLEEPSOFA (11D. Company retirement asset?); SKYWROTE (36D. Used lofty words?); ORES (50D. Groundbreaking discoveries?).
Huh?
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08.15.08

Quake, Rattle & Roll!

Friday, August 15, 2008
Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz
UHOH (48D. “This doesn’t look good”)!
Fasten your seatbelts! ENTER (29D. Word said upon arrival) at your own risk! Five 15-letter across entries are the main feature of this end-of-the-week get-away-early for one of the last-weekends-of-a-waning-summer crossword puzzle.
EARTHQUAKEALARM (13A. Detector of some potentially dangerous waves) and a potentially related question, AREYOUDOINGOKAY (17A. Question of concern after someone has had a bad experience), which might be asked as the aftershocks continue at an EXPONENTIALRATE (34A. Rapidly increasing pace), causing concern to government concerns such as CIAHEADQUARTERS (53A. Where moles might be found) and the ATTORNEYGENERAL (56A. Creator of big suits?).
LANTERNS (36D. Power outage backups) might be needed in the ensuing SABLE (59A. Very dark) results.
O.K., just a few more links -- KNARS (32D. Lumber features); FATS (47D. Domino, e.g.); RISER (31A. Tide, at times); YETIS (22D. Mysterious sightings); MTFUJI (45A. Japanese pilgrimage destination); ENCARTA (15D. Wikipedia alternative).

Excuse me, my seismometer is vibrating -- SEEYA (30D. Words said upon departure)!
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